The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-12-20

1csNd" AAO" OAo yOh,
Just as old as l look" was the re-
ply, quick as q fash, but the sting Of
the words was drawn by merry peal
oflaughter.
How old do look7" she asked,
moment later
After hasty sum in mental srith-
metic automatically replied: Tween
ty-three."
I'm all Of that" was the smiling
response. and the interview closed.
The most prominent feature in
AnnIe's character is her sunny dispO-
position. This. perhaps, il the secret
Of her hold on the rough men with
whom she is thrown in contact She
is never idle. When sitting in the
switch "shanty" she knits mittens and
stockings both for herself and the re-
mainder Of her family. When al are
provided for she employs her needles
on WHISTLES, which find ready sale
among the train-crews.
Annie is firm believer in woman's
rights. SO far as they pertain to labor,
but trouble. herself very little about
the question which ssitators continue
to thrash over and over. While they
have been striving after the unsttaina-
BILE, she has been quietly working out q
practical solution of the perpleXing
problem.
Many stories are told Of Armies
pluck and deXterity, whereby serious
accidents which would have entailed
great destruction of life and property
were ayerted. One of the most eXcit-
ing Instances of the kind occurred
year or more ago. BY way of preface
il must he explained that there is q
down grade from the west toward the
switch shanty. On the occasion in
question heavy freight train was COM
ing down 1t full speed. As il neared
one of the switches the engineer was
mortified to find that il was turned
wrong. The clear, glistening iron lines
sparkled mischievously in the sunlight
up 10 the switch. There they broke
sharp off Beyond was wreck and dan
ger. The engineer whistled for brakes.
reversed his engine, sanded the track
in an endeavor to check the ponderous
mass behind him. The wheels Kissed.
snapped and cracked as they endeay-
ored 10 get reverse grip on the
treachcrous rails. but in vain. Annie
was in the house at the time, fifty yards
from the track. The whistle for brakes
brought her to the door. A single glance
showed her the danger and her father
hobbling toward the switch. With a
bound she sprang from the doorstep and
sped down the grassy path. Over the
log foot-bridge that Spanned a dip In
the field she flew up on To the track.
The switch was still twenty to thirty
yards away. Needless of the dan
ger, for if the train left the track
she was certain TO be crushed, intent
only on her duty, the faithful girl ran
on. Nearer he engine came. creaking
and groaning. Just as the wheels
touched the last rail. Annie reached
the switch. One hand pulled the pin,
the other pulled the lever, and the
switch was set right with less than ten
feet to spare. The train rushed on in
safety. with Annie breathless but tri-
umphant. waving a salute to the crew
without the least thought of having
done the least thing heroic.
The story got out. however, and
Annie found herself. whether she would
or no, a heroine. This was only one Of
many instances where she has saved
property from destruction by her cool
head and prompt action.
The family live in modest twO-stOry
frame house. painted a sober brown,
which stands back from the track in
the midst of an unshaded meadow.
The house and fuel are furnished free
by the company. This. with the forty
dollar salary, is supposed to equal the
fifty-live dollars paid other switchmen.
Like them. Annie has family TO sup
port; but. unlike them. she gets no pay
for Sunday work.
On this small income the family live
as do hundreds of otherS-cOm-
fortably. but with little chance to lay
by any thing for the inevitable rainy
dav. - hicaqo Times.